tell on

/tɛl ɑn/

/tɛl ɒn/

Other forms: told on; tells on

Definitions of tell on

1. verb

   give away information about somebody
   “He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam”

   synonyms: betray, denounce, give away, grass, rat, shop, snitch, stag

   types:

   sell out

   give information that compromises others

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
2. verb

   produce an effect or strain on somebody
   “Each step told on his tired legs”

   type of:

   affect, bear on, bear upon, impact, touch, touch on

   have an effect upon